Sennheiser MKH 30-P48 RF condenser microphone - 002872

Product Overview

The Sennheiser MKH 30-P48 is a studio-grade RF condenser microphone with a figure-8 (bidirectional) polar pattern, powered by standard 48V phantom power. It belongs to Sennheiser's MKH series — a lineage of RF-biased condenser microphones recognized for exceptionally low self-noise, wide and flat frequency response, and outstanding resistance to humidity. The MKH 30-P48 is the definitive side-address figure-8 microphone for M/S stereo recording, orchestral spot miking, room acoustics capture, and any application requiring precise lateral rejection.

Product Description

RF condenser transducers operate on a fundamentally different principle than conventional DC-biased condensers: the capsule is energized by a high-frequency RF oscillator, which provides inherent immunity to humidity-related noise and capsule charge instability. In the MKH 30-P48, this technology yields a self-noise floor that is among the lowest achievable in any production microphone, making it appropriate for capturing the quietest acoustic instruments with full dynamic headroom. The figure-8 polar pattern is highly symmetrical and frequency-independent across the full operating bandwidth — meaning the pickup shape does not narrow or widen with frequency as it does in many large-diaphragm alternatives. This consistency is critical for accurate M/S matrix decoding, where any pattern irregularity in the side microphone directly corrupts the stereo image. In M/S pairs, the MKH 30 is conventionally matched with an MKH 40 (cardioid) or MKH 50 (hypercardioid) as the mid capsule, forming a coincident stereo arrangement that can be decoded to any stereo width in post-production. A switchable low-frequency roll-off filter compensates for proximity effect at close miking distances of approximately 0.5 m, allowing the microphone to be used as a close-field instrument spot mic without bass buildup. A switchable pre-attenuation pad is included for high-SPL sources. The side-address configuration means the live axis of the pattern runs perpendicular to the microphone body — both front and rear lobes are active, and the null axis runs along the length of the mic, providing strong rejection of sounds arriving from the sides (relative to the capsule axis). At $1,499, the MKH 30-P48 is a long-term studio investment that pairs directly with other MKH series microphones for consistent tonal character across an entire microphone complement.

Key Features

• Figure-8 Polar Pattern — True bidirectional pickup captures front and rear equally, with a deep null axis ideal for M/S stereo and room miking.
• RF Condenser Transducer Technology — High-frequency RF bias provides inherent humidity resistance and capsule stability absent in conventional DC condensers.
• Exceptionally Low Self-Noise — Among the quietest microphones available, preserving dynamic range on delicate acoustic instruments and room ambience.
• Highly Symmetrical, Frequency-Independent Pattern — Polar shape remains consistent across the full frequency range, essential for accurate M/S matrix decoding.
• 48V Phantom Power (P48) — Operates on standard phantom power available on virtually all professional mixing consoles and preamp interfaces.
• Switchable Low-Frequency Roll-Off — Roll-off filter compensates for proximity effect at approximately 0.5 m, enabling close-field use without bass buildup.
• Switchable Pre-Attenuation Pad — Extends the dynamic range ceiling for high-SPL sources such as brass, percussion, and amplified instruments.
• Side-Address Configuration — Live axis is perpendicular to the body, allowing natural placement alongside a mid microphone in coincident M/S arrays.
• Wide, Flat Frequency Response — Reproduces transients and tonal character accurately across the full audio bandwidth from 30 Hz to 20 kHz.
• MKH Series Build Quality — All-metal construction engineered for professional touring and studio durability with consistent long-term performance.

Typical Applications

• M/S stereo recording pairs (side mic) with MKH 40 or MKH 50 as the mid capsule
• Orchestral recording — string section spot miking, woodwind room capture, and ensemble ambience
• Classical and acoustic music studio recording requiring high dynamic range and low coloration
• Broadcast and documentary audio where post-production stereo width control is required via M/S decoding
• Room microphone placement in recording studios for natural stereo ambience
• Film and television sound stages requiring coincident stereo arrays with controlled rear rejection
• Acoustic instrument close-miking — piano, guitar, harp, and chamber ensembles

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What makes the MKH 30-P48 different from a conventional condenser microphone?

The MKH 30-P48 uses an RF (radio-frequency) biasing circuit rather than a conventional high-voltage DC charge on the capsule. This makes it inherently resistant to humidity and temperature variations that can cause noise and instability in standard condensers, while also achieving extremely low self-noise levels.

Q: What is the MKH 30-P48 most commonly used for?

Its primary professional application is as the side (S) microphone in M/S stereo recording pairs, where it is matched with an MKH 40 (cardioid) or MKH 50 (hypercardioid) as the mid capsule. It is also widely used for orchestral and chamber music recording, room miking, and acoustic instrument spot miking where a figure-8 pattern is required.

Q: Which microphone should I pair it with for M/S recording?

Sennheiser's MKH 40 (cardioid) and MKH 50 (hypercardioid) are the standard mid-capsule choices within the MKH series. Using matched-series microphones ensures consistent tonal character and capsule behavior when decoding the M/S matrix.

Q: Does it require any special preamp or power supply?

No. The MKH 30-P48 operates on standard 48V phantom power (P48), which is available on virtually all professional mixing consoles, standalone microphone preamps, and audio interfaces. No external power supply or dedicated MKH power module is required.

Q: What do the switchable roll-off and pad do?

The low-frequency roll-off filter reduces bass buildup caused by proximity effect when the microphone is placed close to a source (approximately 0.5 m). The switchable pre-attenuation pad lowers the input sensitivity to accommodate high-SPL sources such as brass, drums, or amplified instruments without capsule or preamp overload.

Q: Is the figure-8 pattern consistent at high frequencies?

Yes. One of the key engineering characteristics of the MKH 30 is that its polar pattern remains highly symmetrical and frequency-independent across the operating bandwidth. Many conventional figure-8 microphones exhibit pattern narrowing at high frequencies; the MKH 30 is specifically designed to minimize this, which is critical for accurate M/S decoding.

Q: Can the MKH 30-P48 handle high sound pressure levels?

Yes, with the switchable pre-attenuation pad engaged. The pad extends the microphone's dynamic range ceiling for use on loud sources. For exact SPL figures, consult the official Sennheiser datasheet.

Q: Is the MKH 30-P48 suitable for outdoor or live recording use?

The RF condenser design provides significantly better humidity resistance than conventional condensers, making the MKH 30 a practical choice for outdoor classical recordings, live orchestral broadcasts, and any environment with variable temperature and moisture conditions. A windscreen is still recommended for outdoor placement.